The deep cuts in Gov. Chris Gregoire’s budget could interfere with the economic recovery efforts proposed by President-Elect Barack Obama, according to the Senate Majority leader. Sen. Lisa Brown, D-Spokane is working on a state stimulus package she hopes would better optimize the much-anticipated federal stimulus package. …

We asked Strange Bedfellows readers on Monday to vote for their choice to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. As of late Tuesday morning more than 3,500 votes had been cast and 42 percent of you had picked the tunnel option, barely edging out the elevated-bypass choice. …

Today New York Times columnist Paul Krugman opined about the budget balancing tactics Gov. Chris Gregoire – and just about every other governor in the nation – has taken to balance a gaping state budget hole. …

This week Gov. Chris Gregoire, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and King County Executive Ron Sims are supposed to decide how to replace Seattle’s Alaskan Way Viaduct. The decision will mark the end of the beginning of one of the most controversial, drawn out transportation debates in recent memory. …